Proxima Centauri

Ownership: UCP
Galactic coordinates: 2.946, -3.021, -0.169
Galactic velocity components: -24.68, -2.473, 13.67
Spectral class: M5e
Variable type: Eruptive variable flare star
Color indices: B-V= +1.83, U-B= +1.43, R-I= +1.66
Orbital period: 16.0689 hours
Diameter: 200,000 km

Also known as Alpha Centauri C and Alpha Proxima, Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf and one of the closest interstellar objects to the Sol system, located only 4.223 light-years away. The name of the star comes from "proximity". It is the tertiary member of the Alpha Centauri system.

Proxima is a flare star; its flares about double the star's brightness, occurring sporadically from hour to hour. In fact, at any given moment, more than one flare may be operating. This varying brightness gave it the name "V645 Centauri" among variable star enthusiasts. Unfortunately, such flares are lethal to any life that might otherwise arise on planets in its comfort zone.